Michael Gorman is a reporter in Nova Scotia who covers Province House, rural communities, and everything in between. Contact him with story ideas at michael.gorman@cbc.ca

Subdued debate inside Province House early Friday morning was counterbalanced by noisy protesters outside as public school teachers began their first strike in Nova Scotia history.

MLAs have been in the legislature almost around the clock this week debating Bill 75, which will impose a contract on teachers. The legislation follows three rejected tentative agreements by union members in the last 15 months.

Premier Stephen McNeil has said the bill is about ending work-to-rule job action. But the theme that's emerged through the week at Province House is teachers are frustrated and have lost patience with government.

A chance to be heard

Teachers union president Liette Doucet said the purpose of the one-day strike is for government to hear from teachers. A rally was scheduled today from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Province House as debate on the bill wraps up for the week.

Doucet confirmed teachers would be back to work on Tuesday, after the long weekend.

Despite long hours for the committee, hundreds of people who wanted to appear did not get the chance. And while both government and opposition MLAs proposed ways to accommodate more people, in the end no agreement could be reached, which gave way to finger pointing on both sides.

'We want to hear from them'

Premier Stephen McNeil said late Thursday night the teachers' concerns are coming through loud and clear. It's why the legislation includes a workplace conditions committee, which would include classroom teachers, and a committee to review inclusion, he said.

The bill is structured to allow teachers to talk to government directly in order to fix things, said McNeil.

Striking Nova Scotia teachers rally outside of Province House as MLAs inside debate a bill that would impose a contract on them. (Paul Palmeter/CBC)

"This [frustration by teachers] has been decades in the making and we're looking to hear from them so we can respond and make those investments."

The premier said his government is prepared to do what is required to address teachers' concerns.